Hub caps

[fishfinder]

I have the HF 1720 lb trailer and have been having a problem with those little caps that go on the hubs. To date I have lost two of them. Fortunately after I lost the first one I ordered 3 from HF. Today I took the trailer out and before I got home I lost another one. (Not same hub) So I am wondering if anyone else has run into this problem.

My solution for now is to fasten them on with aluminum tape. A little tacky but not as great as if I had use the grey stuff. Any good ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

[TwilightLane]

No idea for you, but when I went back to HF looking for grease seals, the only trailer parts they in stock were those dang caps.

Tape is probably the way to go.

[Ageless]

I'd likely clean up the inside of the hub and apply some Loktite. You'll need heat to get them off.

[eamarquardt]

Harbor freight stuff is inexpensive but not of consistant quality, IMHO. I bought some quick disconnects for air lines from them. Inexpensive, yes. Compatible with Amflo (the STANDARD), not always. Compatible with themselve, not always. I sorted through multiple packages, kept the ones that would work with my Amflo and themselves and took the rest back. Even when I showed the "kid" they wouldn't work with each other he argued they were ok.

A lot of their stuff, simply put, is not worth owning. Now the shrinker and stretcher set I bought work fine and should last a long time. On sale now are their digital calipers for ten bucks. I've discovered that it is a good idea to remove the battery when not using them, add a velcro strip or tape over the battery cover to keep it from comming off and being lost, but aside for those quirks they are a good value. The seem to be just as accurate as my Mitotoyo.

When at Harbor Freight, it's "buyer beware", IMHO.

There you have it again, the world according to Gus.

I agree a little epoxy or locktite will help. I made a SST (special service tool-I bored out a piece of heavy wall tubing) to slip over the cup and mate with the rolled rim. This allows one to beat them (actually you beat the end of the SST) on with a hammer, spread the load against the rolled rim, and not beat in the end of the cup!

Hope this helps you understand what your dealing with.

Cheers,

Gus

[fishfinder]

Thanks for all the replies. Gus I agree with all of your observations on their material but being careful one can find deals. I think you are correct about not banging on the end of the cap. I think that may have been the cause of my current difficulty. BTW the caps are on $1 plus shipping.

Meanwhile I will use the alluminum tape to hold on what I have.

Mike

[eamarquardt]

Gus I agree with all of your observations on their material but being careful one can find deals. I think you are correct about not banging on the end of the cap.
Mike

You have agreed (propped up my theory) with me twice in your post.

Mark Twain said: "Scientists have odius manners. Except when you prop up their theory (agree with them). THEN you can borrow money from them."

The same can be said about me!

How much money are you looking for? Ha!

Cheers,

Gus

[Dale M.]

As a thought go to local hardware or building supply and rummage round in PVC/ABS section to find a Rubber Cap that is held on to pipe with a stainless steel worm type hose clamp.... Its not perfect, and I don't know how durable (lasting) it is but I have seen them used to protect hub/bearings when the regular "steel cap" was not to be found.... Measure hub outside diameter first..



Dale

[Aaron Coffee]

I had stole one of off my current build to use on another trailer and I replaced it with on bought at TSC and that sucker is tight. I too, have a special tool for putting those caps on, a short section of the perfect size pipe that I found in the junk pile, the only problem I have is finding it when I need it.

[bobhenry]

I thought it was just me.

I have lost 3 in 2 1/2 years. The last one I took pliers and rolled out the lip slightly made it a bit more difficult to install but to date it is still in place.

[toypusher]

I thought it was just me.

I have lost 3 in 2 1/2 years. The last one I took pliers and rolled out the lip slightly made it a bit more difficult to install but to date it is still in place.

That is exactly what I did when mine was brand new in 2005 and they haved stayed on this long.